VeraCrypt provides disk encryption with strong security based on TrueCrypt. From 1.26.6 until 1.26.29, file-hosted hidden volume creation forces quick format and the FormatNoFs function in src/Common/Format.c and FormatFat function in src/Common/Fat.c use WriteFile to place raw zeroed sectors at predictable 128 MiB intervals. These writes bypass the normal EncryptDataUnits formatting path, leaving deterministic plaintext markers in an area expected to resemble random ciphertext. The markers can weaken plausible deniability during forensic inspection, although they do not disclose hidden-volume content or reduce the strength of VeraCrypt encryption. This issue is fixed in version 1.26.29.
Advisories

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Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.


Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

History

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 21:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Veracrypt
Veracrypt veracrypt
Vendors & Products Veracrypt
Veracrypt veracrypt

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 20:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description VeraCrypt provides disk encryption with strong security based on TrueCrypt. From 1.26.6 until 1.26.29, file-hosted hidden volume creation forces quick format and the FormatNoFs function in src/Common/Format.c and FormatFat function in src/Common/Fat.c use WriteFile to place raw zeroed sectors at predictable 128 MiB intervals. These writes bypass the normal EncryptDataUnits formatting path, leaving deterministic plaintext markers in an area expected to resemble random ciphertext. The markers can weaken plausible deniability during forensic inspection, although they do not disclose hidden-volume content or reduce the strength of VeraCrypt encryption. This issue is fixed in version 1.26.29.
Title VeraCrypt: Hidden volume quick format weakens plausible deniability
Weaknesses CWE-693
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 4.6, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}


Projects

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: GitHub_M

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-21T19:32:34.830Z

Reserved: 2026-06-11T18:24:35.098Z

Link: CVE-2026-54073

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-21T19:32:05.323Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-21T19:17:02.870

Modified: 2026-08-21T20:16:37.233

Link: CVE-2026-54073

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-21T21:30:17Z

Weaknesses